As the Tibetan New Year approaches, Yeshe Khorlo Estonia expresses heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has helped make the three-year retreat in Estonia a reality.
Also, the fundraising through Chöd teachings in January was a great success—we managed to raise over 6,000 euros for Khenpo Karma Wangyel’s house.
A few dedicated Sangha members continue to support this project so that we can provide food for those in retreat. However, additional support would be greatly appreciated, as we had to rely on the retreatants’ personal funds to cover the final construction costs.
If you feel inspired by this meaningful endeavor and wish to accumulate merit, you are warmly invited to contribute via our bank account or PayPal.
Every donation makes a difference—just 20 euros provides ten days of food for one retreatant!
Requirement: Vajrayana empowerment of Inner tantra level such as Lama Norbu Gyamtsho, any Shitro, Kunzang gondu, Nyingthig Yabzhi, 3 roots empowerment, etc. Chod wang is very good if you have it, but any Inner tantra empowerment is ok.
Price:
Lower income 45 €
Middle income 60 €
Sponsor 100 €
All proceeds of teaching will be donated to finish building Khenpola’s retreat house in Estonia.
Translation will be organised into:
– English
– German
– French
– Russian
It is possible to arrange translation into another language if enough people are interested.
Sound of the Dakini’s Laughter is the commonly practiced chod from the Longchen Nyingtig cycle of Jigme Lingpa, who received it as mind treasure from Longchenpa.
Chod practice in the Longchen Nyingthig system has a Dzogchen flavor and is different from the standard Mahamudra Chod of the union of Sutra and Tantra. This is due to a difference in the way the view is presented and practiced in the two systems. This results in a different approach to the practice and a different degree of emphasis on the yogic conduct associated with the practice.
“Chod” literally means “to cut”, and here it means to cut off and eliminate ego-clinging and ignorance, so it takes the specific approach of using yogic conduct to provoke the upheaval of samsaric mind, which is then used as fuel to abruptly sever its root, which is self-grasping. Therefore, yogic conduct is a major theme of Pacifying of Suffering Chod practice.
One of the main features of the yogic conduct of chod is to cast aside the attachment to the body and then to offer the body as food to any being who wants to take it. Therefore, “transform the body into food,” as it is called, is also a major theme of the practice. This is done in a powerful meditative ritual which includes “a stunning array of visualizations, song, music, and prayer, it engages every aspect of one’s being and effects a powerful transformation of the interior landscape.”
This is a great way to support your Dzogchen practice.
The first snow this week on the retreat land! But not too cold yet – around minus 2 during a day. With this post we just remind you that you can have an opportunity to accumulate good merit by donating for the retreat people to whom we should pay back the money we took from them for the last bills. We have received 185 euros of donations in November and we are so thankful! Also, one Sangha friend sent to everybody a precious gift parcel with hand made things and more inside! We do not need so much now but it is good if we keep in mind our Sangha’s practitionners in retreat:) Also, our Sangha’s translator Andrzej is now translating one text (sku gsum sgrub pa – an explanation manual of Lama Norbu Gyamtso practice) that is necessary for the retreat people after a few months. If possible support also this translation project! And every week, we do some works in the retreat master khenpo Karma Wangyel’s house (we need around 7000 euros to complete it. Half is done! Our account details: Paypal: yeshekhorloest@gmail.com;
Bank Transfer Details:
Receiver: YESHE KHORLO EESTI MTÜ
Account: EE212200221065708346
SWEDBANK, SWIFT code/BIC: HABAEE2X
Bank address: Liivalaia 8, Talllinn, Estonia, 15040. SWEDBANK, SWIFT code/BIC: HABAEE2X
On the 20th of September 2024, five practitioners from Yeshe Khorlo Sangha started the three-year retreat in Estonia, in Umbusi village in the three-year retreat center called Samten Lhündrup Gatsel (The Pleasant Grove of Spontaneous Concentration). The retreat master is khenpo Karma Wangyel. Gangteng Rinpoche gave personal advice to those entering the retreat during several days when he was in Estonia. There will be three tsamyogs- helpers who deal with practical questions and translation, if necessary.
It is very rare in the western countries that there is an oportunity to do the Dzogchen retreat, and it is the first time in history this retreat is done according to Pema Lingpa’s tradition outside of Bhutan. We, the members of Yeshe Khorlo Estonia, are very happy that we have managed to make this retreat happen.
We still miss around 10 000 euros to pay the last bills (we have had a great help from several donors, but we also had some thousands of euros of more costs (finishing the gate, fence and other works related to kitchen-storage-temple room).
Our very recent helpers: Dariusz – 4000 euros, Katrin: 1000 euros, Ulrike: 500 euros, Marje: 750 euros, Hanna: 500 euros, Raivo: 200 euros. We are so thankful! We also thank Tanel, Bori, Marc, Andrus, Merle, Mari, Jonas, Dominique, Jannus and Monica for (continous) support!
For the next three years, the gate will be closed but whoever can, a little support for practitioners in retreat is always great and very helpful – most of them gave most of their money in the beginning of retreat and very big part of it has gone for the construction works.
Temple room got ready just before closing the gatesAll the houses on the photolast diner before starting the retreat. Almost everybody on the photoTwo houses on the left side from the roadInside the room :kitchenMain roomThe last but not least: installation of the name plate on the gate
Latest news from the three-year retreat center soon starting in Estonia according to Pema Lingpa’s tradition. Khenpo Karma Wangyel and two lopönmas, Künle Wangmo and Sonam, arrived on Saturday. All the nuns are very busy doing tormas that should stay three years in the rooms. The actual beginning date is postponed to 20th of September 2024, this Friday. There might be some works related to the kitchen house that cannot be completed on time (can be completed right after the beginning). Other works will be completed (houses and the gate). Every day there are new small details that have to be done and that also cost money, but we have got only few donations in September (the big pipe works bill of 12 000 is not yet paid as well. However, houses look very cosy and warm, everything is ready for the living in the rythm of practice and practice only. PayPal: yeshekhorloest@gmail.com
Bank Transfer Details:
Receiver: YESHE KHORLO EESTI MTÜ
Account: EE212200221065708346
SWEDBANK, SWIFT code/BIC: HABAEE2X
in the kitchen/storehouse, the walls were finished today (with lime plaster)Making of the tormas
Time has passed very quickly after the departure of Gangteng RInpoche and khenpo Karma Wangyel (who will be back after a few days though). Meanwhile, the kitchen house is almost finished, the ceiling insulation done, bathroom works almost completed (now, just shower curtains have to be put on place). Today, the retreatants also moved from Umbusi Buddhist center to the retreat center. We are soso thankful to so many people who have supported us recently (some of you again and again!): Rimo, Andrus, Monica, Rein, Veiko, Viivi, Anneli, Jannus, Reine, Mikk, Raivo, Kenno, Liis, Katrin, Leeve, Kaia-Kaire and Hedi from Estonia (2295 euros altogether), Dariusz (2000 euros), Marion (so many more euros), Aurelie and Edith from France (together 1000 euros), Birgit, Yeshe Khorlo Deutchland, Ines and Marina (main support for Thujila: around 8000 euros), Lupita, Alexis (1000 euros, again), Dechen and Pema (1500 dollars), Rovshan (500 dollars), and some more through Paypal (monthly payments and others), as well as some who do not want their names to be mentioned (another 5000 dollars).
The only problem in the end, like always, is that there are some unexpected bills, higher costs than we thought of some works, so we still lack around 10 000 euros to pay the bills (and some works, mainly in the kitchen, are still going on). We try to do everything as cheap as possible (the furniture is so-called B-quality, with some defects but perfect for us, we have found all the fridges from the second hand market, we have got most of the home items from our friends or second hand shops, and as said before, bathroom tiles were for free (though looking very expensive, the floor material is marmoleum but we got leftover pieces mainly (7 euros per m2).
PayPal: yeshekhorloest@gmail.com
Aadress: Umbusi village, Põltsamaa parish, Jõgevamaa county, 48026.
Bank Transfer Details:
Receiver: YESHE KHORLO EESTI MTÜ
Account: EE212200221065708346
SWEDBANK, SWIFT code/BIC: HABAEE2X
Evening lightsTsok before moving in, Thujila’s roomRetreatants leave from Umbusi Buddhist center to the retreat center (by foot: 500 m, by car: 2 km)That was the last big job in the rooms10.09.2024 – evening in the retreat land, light first time in the windows!Fridges are now in the rooms – all of them second hand, but looking good, with the price from 40 to 110 eurosToilets installedWindow works completedThuji and Marion busy with painting reldris for mandalaKitchen house with the white layer of lime plaster, still dryingelectricity works done, each house has a separate counterGate got a roof ridge sheet
It is possible to have an accommodation in a nearby Umbusi Buddhist center (shared rooms), 7 euros per night, it is also possible to have food there (5 euros per meal). Reduced price possible for students, retired persons, and those in need.
There is a registration form, but only in Estonian (google translate will help): https://shorturl.at/ioLCE
Coming to Umbusi: there are direct buses from Tallinn airport almost to Umbusi (the bus stop is called Puhu rist, it is 12 km from here, we can come to pick you up. Umbusi is situated in the middle of Estonia, 1h 20 min drive from Tallinn airport, 4 hours’ drive from Riga (there are also buses, also from Riga airport (flixbus), you have to get to Tartu, then we can help you to get a bus ticket or come to pick you up).
More details coming soon (about the exact time).
Gangteng Rinpoche in Estonia in 2019Retreat center (almost completed)
One week has gone again and we can modify a little bit to do list, some works are done!
Construction of the inside walls in two houses – 70% is done.
Plastering, painting and wallpaper works in two houses: lime plaster done in main rooms, kitchens have to be finished. One main room painted, one to be done, wallpaper works to be done.
Outside boarding: mainly done! (ten boards are missing, because material finished, we will get it).
Gate work: needs to be completed: just work, not much new material needed. Roof of the gate done! Doors have to be done.
Fence: most of the material bought, needs to be done. Help needed! Update: 08.08.2024: 300 meters of poles done, 100m of fence done (altogether it will be 500 meters. It is not 2 meters high and non trasnparent, but it works as a limit of the retreat center. Spruces that we planted last year, will grow soon and cover the view.
Installation of 13 doors (3 exterior doors and 10 interior doors: 2000 euros). We can almost manage. Doors are on the way.
Finishing the kitchen-storage room’s roof and ceiling, intallation of windows and a door. Windows and roof material almost there (some roof material needs to be bought. Lot of help needed. In front of the kitchen storage house a terrace has to be done to cover the part of the foundation we could not manage to build. These works have started.
Kitchen windows for each house (5), installation of them. Little money and help necessary.
Outside gardening works, excavator’s works where it could have not been done earlier. Some more flowerbeds done, other works not yet. (can be around 500 euros)
Floor works (half og the material is there). Help needed.
Assembly of IKEA kitchen furniture (arrived). Needs help from voluteers.
Installation of the pump in the deep-drilled well (includes also the cost of the pump): 2500. Done by a company. Water is there! Finishing of the bathrooms (two not yet done at all) toilets and showers have to be bought (no money for that right now).
Construction of wind boxes for houses, installation of gutters (no money for that work).
Ceiling: heating material and installation (at least 1200 euros)
Construction of stairways and a small terrace in front of each house (we start preparation works from tomorrow.
Finishing of electricity works everywhere.
Limeplaster done, room painted. Gate works: roof is doneEvening viewFlowerbedBathroom tiles mainly for free.Boards have slightly different colors. We like it. Inside walls partially done, room plastered and paintedWater pump system installedTerrace next to the kitchen-storage houseWe have long view sunsets here (when we finish work late)
We are happy to conclude the month of July with the realization that we have almost finished building the two houses that did not exist in June: only interior work remains. And different other works:)
Here is the list of our special voluteers, who have helped with many works or in other ways in June and July: Jaak, Raul, Monica, Terje, Nele, Madis, Maire, Rein, Valter, Vivian, Camel and more.
And here we thank you our very special donors, only thanks to them we have managed to get so far! In the end of June and in July we have got several very important donations that we would like to mention here:
The main help in June and July came from an unknown donor to us, Dariusz from Chezch Republic (13 000 euros!), some more donations from Estonia from our good friends (mainly Aivar, but many others as well: more than 3500), and some important donations from Switzerland (together with June, we have got more than 5000 euros from Switzerland: from Roland, Margrit, Heinz, Liane, Janna and Marina (special thanks to Hanna!), from Yeshe Khorlo Deutschland: 800 euros, donations from France from Bori and Dominique. The money that has arrived through Yeshe Khorlo Germany – we do not know each person by name, but we thank you very much! May everybody’s merit be abundant!
Since before there was so much work to be done that it didn’t make sense for us to make list of works that is still left to be done, now it makes sense. We have also tried to calculate the cost of works and materials – you can see the list below (the latest estimate tells us that we still need around 12 000 euros – to complete the kitchen-storage room, fence, electricity works and many other small works).
Estimation of costs: (prices are in euros):
Heating system: 10 000 euros Doors: 2000 (10 +3 outside doors) Floor: the cheapest option: around 1000: natural marmoleum (stock leftovers: we have got aorund 60 m2 of leftovers for 7 euros/m2, but need to buy another 70m2, hopefully for 15eur/m2) Bathroom works: work: at least 11 000, plus toilets, water heaters, shower treys and showers (can be around 1500 euros)
To do list:
Construction of the inside walls in two houses (we can manage).
Plastering, painting and wallpaper works in two houses (we will manage, we have all the material). Update: primer for lime plaster done, now plastering works can start (05.08.)
Outside boarding: one house: half not done yet. We have to pay for that job (we still need to pay for one week’s work (for 2 men: 1600 euros).
Gate work: needs to be completed: just work, not much new material needed.
Fence: most of the material bought, needs to be done. Help needed! Update: 04.08.2024: 300 meters of poles done, 50m of fence done.
Installation of 13 doors (3 exterior doors and 10 interior doors: 2000 euros). We can almost manage. Doors need to be bought.
Finishing the kitchen-storage room’s roof and ceiling, intallation of windows and a door. Windows and roof material almost there (some roof material needs to be bought. Lot of help needed.
Kitchen windows for each house (5), installation of them. Little money and help necessary.
Outside gardening works, excavator’s works where it could have not been done earlier. Done by excavator. Needs to be paid (can be around 500 euros)
Floor works (material will be bought this week). Help needed.
Assembly of IKEA kitchen furnituure (arrives at August 3rd). Needs help from voluteers.
Installation of the pump in the deep-drilled well (includes also the cost of the pump): 2500. Done by a company.
Construction of wind boxes for houses, installation of gutters (no money for that work).
Ceiling: heating material and installation (at least 1200 euros)
Construction of stairways and a small terrace in front of each house.
Finishing of electricity works everywhere.
Last house: ceiling and walls done!Some bathroom interior works done. View to the gateGardenBhutanese chilliesGardenLast houseEvening skyKitchen-storage roomFloor works done in kitchen-storage room. Gate with the small part of the road that later will lead to khenpola’s house further. View from the gateThe beginning of the fence
Today (25th of July) we had many works ongoing but the most remarkable among them was excavator. One side, where are two houses has completely changed. Also works around the gate started (we had to construct the beginning of the small pathway that will later lead to khenpo Karma Wangyel’s house (it will be outside of the three-year retreat area. We need this small patch of the road – so later we can turn around the car there (we should not go by car inside the three-year retreat area), when bringing food etc.
